In His Image

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Genesis 2:7 NKJV

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Illustrations

The Mirror and the Mask: A handheld mirror. “Who is that person in the mirror? Do you know who they are? Maybe you should wear a mask and pretend you are someone you are not.”

Trapped in Halloween: Little Johnnie struggled with his identity. One Halloween he asked his mother, “What should I be?” His mother said, “Whatever you want to be Johnnie!” He replied, “I want to be an alien!” So, she bought him an alien costume. Throughout the night and around the neighborhood Johnnie got lots of compliments and candy as an alien. When he got home, his mother said, “Ok, let’s take off the costume and get ready for bed.” “No” replied Johnnie, “You said I could be whatever I wanted to be, and I want to be an alien. Being an alien makes me feel special.” His mother decided to let it go for the night. The next morning Johnnie came to the breakfast table dressed like an alien. His mother said, “Johnnie, you have to go to school. You can’t wear your costume.” Johnnie replied, “I am not Johnnie anymore. I am an alien.” The mother took him to school and dropped him off. The teacher said, “Johnnie, Halloween is over. You can’t wear your costume to school.” Johnnie replied, “This is not a costume. I am an alien. From now on my name is ‘ET’.” When the teacher consulted Johnnie’s parents, they said they were relieved that their son had finally discovered his real identity. They had agreed to change his name and place of origin on his birth certificate, build him a spaceship in the back yard, and help him “phone home.”

Many people seem to be trapped in Halloween. They are treating one another as if their costume identities are real. When pretending takes the place of reality, things get really “scary”!

We are created in the Image of God (Imago Dei)

We are created, not evolved.

We are created by God the Creator.

We are created in the image and likeness of God.

God determined our gender at conception.

God decides. Biology testifies.

We are created by God to be His “Image Bearers”.

God’s Image LOST

The dysfunction of SIN

Sin entered our world in the Garden of Eden.

Sin brings confusion, shame, and dysfunction.

The distortion of IDOLATRY

Idolatry is the worship of an image other than the image of God.

Idolatry exchanges the image of God with another image.

Idolatry rejects God as Creator.

Romans 1:20–25 NKJV

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Idolatry distorts God’s design

Romans 1:26–27 NKJV

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

Idolatry debases the human soul (human psychology)

Romans 1:28–32 NKJV

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Idolatry encourages rebellion against what is good and right

Romans 1:29–32 NKJV

being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Idolatry conforms us to its image.

Psalm 135:15–18 NKJV

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.

The deception of this WORLD

We cannot discover our identity through experimentation with and conformity to this world.

We cannot discover our identity through feelings, pleasure, peer pressure, the desire to be accepted, the desire for attention, the fear of being hurt, the hope of finding genuine love, and the quest to find significance apart from God.

In time, seeking our identity in this world will leave us lonely, disillusioned, angry, and afraid.

We often defend a false identity because it is better than no identity at all or better than the one sin has distorted.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The Image of God RESTORED

Repent of false identities rooted in idolatry, rebellion, sin, and dysfunction.

Return to your Creator.

He made you and designed you.

He made you in His image and likeness.

He knows the meaning and purpose for your life.

Ask God to reveal and restore His image and likeness in your life.

The I AM can tell me who I AM

I AM who the I AM says I AM

The I AM can tell me who I AM in Christ

Turn to Jesus Christ

The Witness of Christmas.

The image of God became flesh in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is God’s ultimate Image Bearer.

Jesus came to reveal and restore the image of God in fallen human beings.

Jesus died to remove the penalty of sin and to break the distortion of sin.

Put your faith in Jesus Christ as your only hope of eternal salvation and deliverance.

Conform your life to the image of Jesus Christ as revealed in the New Testament.

Study the New Testament to find out who you are in Christ and who He is in you.

Seek to become one of God’s Image Bearers in this world of confusion.

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